ROAD pricing will almost certainly send the cost of running a car soaring, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has admitted.

ROAD pricing will almost certainly send the cost of running a car soaring, Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has admitted.

The Government has hinted in the past that congestion charging could be accompanied by changes to road and petrol tax, so the overall cost to drivers remains the same.

But Mr Alexander admitted there was no guarantee of this when he was quizzed in the House of Commons.

He said congestion charging "could have an effect" on the overall tax burden for motorists.

"The anticipated timescale would be the middle of the next decade."

He could not "write the 2015 Budget" today, he said.

The Secretary of State was asked by West Midlands MP Lynda Waltho about progress developing a road pricing scheme in the region.

Ms Waltho (Stourbridge) said: "It has been estimated the cost of congestion in the West Midlands this year will be #2.2 billion."

Mr Alexander replied: "In July, I met West Midland authorities and heard from them in person about the work they are taking forward."

A discussion document produced by the seven West Midlands councils, Gridlock or Growth - Choices and Challenges for the Future, suggested that motorists could pay up to #25 a week to drive into Birmingham at peak hours.

The minister is looking for a region to test road pricing methods which might later be rolled out across the country. In return, he could provide billions for public transport improvements.

The seven local authorities have identified #3 billion of "urgent" transport improvements, including the refurbishment of Birmingham New Street station.